
Canada’s sulphur exports
Though production, particularly from sour gas in Alberta, has declined, Canada remains the world’s second largest exporter of sulphur.
Though production, particularly from sour gas in Alberta, has declined, Canada remains the world’s second largest exporter of sulphur.
The Aecometric 3rd generation burner was developed, installed and commissioned for an SRU incinerator with increased stringent demands to reduce NOx emission and lower energy consumption. Mason Lee of Aecometric Corporation reports on the new burner design and performance. The emission test results show a significant improvement in addressing these environmental concerns to achieve low NOx (<50 mg/m3 ) combustion and minimise CO (<200 mg/m3 ) emissions.
Downstream phosphate production is expected to climb, with further sulphur price recovery expected. Overall, global demand remains lacklustre as downstream demand has yet to increase substantially in key markets and sulphur availability from most origins is ample.
Over the last six months, climate and geopolitical events have disrupted seaborne trade. A record drought in Panama and the unprecedented intensity of attacks on commercial ships by the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea are straining the freight market. Almost 150 ships have been targeted along the latter trade route since the first attack was registered to a non-commercial ship last year.
As refiners adapt to the transition to a lower carbon economy, different strategies are likely to impact upon sulphur output.
Morocco’s OCP is continuing to expand its phosphate fertilizer production capacity. This includes the construction of new sulphur-burning acid capacity to support phosphate production and provide carbon-free power.
Sulphur plays an important role in crop nutrition. Indeed, sulphur is increasingly being recognised as the fourth major crop nutrient alongside N, P and K. However, a combination of intensive agricultural practices, increasing application of high-analysis fertilizers and tighter air quality regulations has led to increasing sulphur deficiency in soils. In this insight article, CRU’s Peter Harrisson looks at what’s driving sulphur deficiency and whether there’s a gap in the market for sulphur fertilizers.
CRU and UniverSUL Consulting, together with the event host, ADNOC, are delighted to welcome you back for MEScon 2024 at the Conrad Abu Dhabi, Etihad Towers from 20 to 23 May 2024.
The Sulphur Institute (TSI) held its World Sulphur Symposium in Charleston from April 2nd to 4th.
The implementation of WSA technology to recover sulphur as sulphuric acid from lean sulphurous off-gases offers significant environmental benefits. These include waste reduction, resource efficiency and reduced overall CO2 e footprint, while also producing profitable sulphuric acid. By embracing such practices, industries can ensure improved or better consumption and production patterns and foster a more sustainable and responsible future. J. Feddersen and S. S. Johansson of Topsoe illustrate these benefits using three distinct industrial applications where WSA technology provides a smarter way to treat sulphurous off-gases. It is not only waste stream management in the three cases, but also reduced transportation of chemicals, reduced opex and reduced CO2 e footprint.